We hit all four red lights on the way there. My jaw tenses, my fingers grip the steering wheel. I swear under my breath and plead with the sun to wait.

It does.

We don’t say much to each other tonight. They are content without my coddling and I am breathing in the universe, releasing my stress onto the tide where the waves take it away.

A man stands at the shoreline, still and bewitched by the pages of his book rather than by the great ball of fire that slowly falls against the canvas behind him. I make a mental note to add “Stand in the shoreline reading book at sunset” to the fabulous things I want to do someday.

We are covered in coarse sand that sticks to our wet skin like salt on a pretzel. We dip our toes into the soft sand and watch as the sea foam bubbles over our buried feet.

Sometimes it feels like I’m not enough, like I want to give so much but my reserves are low.

That’s part of loving too though…making it through the empty spots and finding ways to replenish the good.

Feeling replenished.

Three treats for you tonight…

A) Happy to announce the renewal of Tina Steinberg’s Sponsorship. I’ve raved about my fingerprint necklaces so much, but seriously…I adore them and everything they mean. A new favorite: feeding Nella and watching her reach up until she feels the edges of the charms…and she’ll clutch and twirl and rub her fingers against them until she’s asleep.

They make a fabulous holiday gift and right now (until 11/30), Tina is offering complimentary additional inscription on the back of all Love Touch designs. Please order early to ensure holiday delivery (she also has gift certificates!) Thank you Tina! We are proud to represent you.

B) Jana Laurene, the artist that painted the portraits of Lainey and Nella in this post is offering a $50 discount on her commisioned paintings. She’s only selling 50 paintings, so yours will be one-of-a-kind (so get it fast!)

C) The giveaway winner for the $50 gift certificate for Lilian Eve Designs is Commenter #592, Gina: I so need something pretty to jazz up my boring tee’s and jeans this winter!

Gina, please e-mail your info to kellehamptonblog@comcast.net, and we’ll have your tees jazzed up in no time.

Oh, and thank you for voting for Enjoying the Small Things at The Bump. I’m sharing with all of you our honor as winner of Best Special Needs Blog. (Hollah!) ‘Cuz we all share the special need of drinking a nice cup of enjoyin’-the-small-things, eh? There really are so many amazing voices out there drawing awareness to special needs and showing that, regardless of abilities or disabilities, we share so much of the same challenges and dreams, so Hollah to them too. We’re all in this together.

With that said (ha ha), the ante’s apparently been upped and now we’re up for best overall blog award. Kinda like a spelling bee tournament. It’s Nationals, Baby. Again, happy to be considered…if you want to give a hollah, vote HERE (and you can continue to vote with the button on the sidebar).

I hear ya. Although I think we’re on opposite schedules. Today I got a huge to-do list done and was cheerful and patient and had tons of fun. Usually, when I have impatient, crabby, unproductive days, I’ll check your blog and you had a banner day. And it inspires me. But this one inspires me too, cause it’s good to hear such a great momma has days like this. Great pics…the ones of Lainey at the beach look so much like you!

Some of the most beautiful photos I have EVER seen. How can you not feel replenished after seeing that in person! WOW!

And honestly, yes, I am (not-so) secretly glad to hear when other moms have those days too. Because sometimes it seems like I am having too many of them. But then I’ll have one great day (or even hour) and it will make up for all the other hours that suck!

One day I will be within very close range of a beach, so that I too can just jump in the car for a refueling. The ocean is so many things to me and I can’t wait! Loving Nella in her fuzzy nubby hat on the beach.

Beautiful as always! I have to say I learned my lesson when commenting on one of your posts though…I just started my blog about a month ago and yours was one of my first I’d found. I commented on one of your posts and hit that I’d like follow up comments. Wow! Never again…My e-mail BLEW UP for days just from the follow up comments…how do you keep up with them all? 🙂 Love your blog.

I’m cryin’-the beach in November? Today, 50mph winds, leaves dry & blowing everywhere, clouds heavy with rain, dampness in the air..seriously, the beach in November?? I love the pic of Lainey wrapped in her towel, gazing into the distance & the one of Nella, watching the waves, toes pointed like a little ballerina..ooh..they’re scrumptious!! Have a good night

First. It’s good to know you’re still human. That you still have days where nothing gets done and you need a beach sunset to rejuvenate you. That sometimes you don’t feel like you’re enough. Because I’ll admit – you’ve had me fooled. There are nights were I ask Scot (my amazing husband) if our girls are ready for bed, if it’s too early, and he shoots me this look of, “Are you kidding? It’s 7pm. Of course it’s too early.” And I feel just awful.

But they are what draws me out of bed in the morning. Their giggles and sweetness, and yes, even their challenging little souls that make me huff and puff and wonder how I will possibly handle the rest of my life as a mother of these wild little beings… And I’m happy. Truly.

Also… Is it just me or is Nella turning the toddler leaf?! Every post you’ve made in the last month or so I’ve been astounded by her awareness and interaction and… well… Her zest for life. She must’ve got that from her Mama 😉 I so enjoy watching her discover the world and revel in it 🙂 Thank you for sharing. She makes me feel alive.

I was smitten with the photo of the reader on the beach and wondered…what lines, what narrative, what themes could call your eyes from the sinking, radiant orb to black words on white pages? What can rival the pure perfection of nature. And then I saw it in the silouettes of my girls against the setting sun. Their precious perfection, their little stacked chromosomes–eonugh and more than enough–present a beauty that makes me focus on the foreground rather than the horizon…and I am that reader standing in the crashing waves, lost in love. And I too am replenished. Our days weave stories if we can just open the book. And these are the stories of our life. Thank you for giving from your drained spirit…for it is in that giving we are all replenished. I love you. Sleep in peace. Tomorrow is being polished somewhere beyond that sunset, riding on a wave to you.

Ha! Usually I’m commenter #9 billionth and something, woo hoo!I’m so jealous you can just head to the beach. The sound of the waves would do wonders for a stressed out mama, I would think. Although..that’s a lot of packing.. If you sold the picture of Nella looking out onto the water with her hat and dress.. I would buy it. Absolutely breathtaking. Get some rest, the greatest thing about having kids is that they are quicker to forgive us than we are ourselves. They will love you just as much, if not more, when you wake up and smile at you..and you’ll know that it’s a new day. I love being a mama! PS) You rock. Even rockstars miss a note every once in awhile 🙂

On those draining days, ever find yourself turning away from the whiner/meany/tantrum storm of a child with a sigh. I sigh at those moments and catch myself and giggle at my own drama. I even caught my brother doing it with his twins this past weekend. Ha.

Terrific blue sky shots. My friend Jana (a wonderful professional photographer) says that you never forget your first blue sky shot. I don’t care if it’s your 999th shot, they are still cool. I can’t wait to capture my first.

Love seeing a man loving a book so much that he can’t put it down. That’s definitely a moment.

So last night I had the most vivid dream with you in it… I was giving birth a couple of months ago but the ultrasound was wrong I was not having a girl “my Lanie” it was a Boy. They rushed him off right away to the nursery. When I Went to find my Baby they said we were wrong you did not have a girl and there is something else… He has Down syndrome. I collapsed I was in shock. I was walking down a long white hallway and there you were… Standing in a cute dress with a camera around your neck. You said lets walk back there together. We together can get through this. You already have once. Then you took pictures of him and I. I did not dream his name. I woke up the last thing I remember is you holding him and kissing him. It was so real there were tears on my face when I woke up. I guess I just want you to know I think so highly of you I was dreaming of you and that you are so very special to me and other women.

Ha, just thinking today how I should come up with a good blog post but I’m so tired and empty and my kids are taking all the words right out of my head right now. I need to go find my replenishment :). Thanks for this post.

i wrote about mine last night on my blog- it’s the last post i wrote…after one of THOSE days, i skiddadled over to the beach (3000 miles away from your beach)…because i was feeling at the end of my rope.

you have a way of saying things that remind me that it’s okay to have THOSE days and that it doesn’t diminish the love i have for my girls either…

I love those toes. I love how you honor both of your girls but as a Mom who’s daughter with DS is now 11 I crave those toes, little squished sausage toes. Sigh… even kids with delayed development grow up faster than you’d like when all is said and done.

Thank you for this post. My RSS feed was empty and then your post popped up. I always look forward to reading your posts and seeing your photos. The following line hit home after 7 days of single parenting while my husband travels for work, “Sometimes it feels like I’m not enough, like I want to give so much but my reserves are low.”Glad you are replenished…maybe I need a trip to the beach.

I had a similar day only it’s -15C and the roads are so bad we couldn’t make it to a couple of our intended destinations. Your pictures are gorgeous, though, and thanks for reminding me how lucky I am to be visiting Florida in January. Warm sandy beaches, here I come! 🙂

I had one of those days last week. I paced the floor waiting for my husband to get home so I could just get in the car and go. I ended up going to Walmart and browsing. It’s hard to get your head clear when you’re constantly hearing, “Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!” It was nice finally getting the chance to do so.

And I agree with Angela. Sometimes it feels like I have a lot of those days, but then that day (or hour like she said) comes and makes it all better.

the part on your post that jumped out to me was that sometimes you don’t feel like you’re good enough…I just turned 50 and I’m barely starting to feel that I am good enough. We just need to know that we are! We all do our best every single day and that is good enough!

How I long to stand on that shore!! I have tried to throw my problems – my sorrows – into the crazy winds that we’ve been having up here. It seems to only be making things worse as they hit me full force on their way back with the cold wind behind em! I got another e-mail prolonging my move to Florida… and each and every time I see my eventual employers name in my inbox my heart stops knowing if it’s an e-mail it’s not good news – where texting is our normal means of communication. It seems that when I signed my employment agreement for the daycare I didn’t notice the clause that handed over the reins of my life to my boss… It seems after the holidays is the big move now! So let the countdown begin…. again!

If I were you I would have those pictures of Lainey and Nella blown up and framed hanging from every wall in my house. They are absolutely, amazingly heart warming!! You’re one blessed mama for sure! As for reading during sunset – I’m proud and simultaneously ashamed to admit that I have done this. But I wasn’t reading another person’s work. I prepared for days before heading to Wiggins Beach writing what I was ready for the sun to set on – a long time need for a resolution with an ex, for insecurities and inadequacies I felt I had to list just a few of the things I read. I read each one to myself sitting just far enough from the water that just my toes were grazed when the tide rolled in. And when the last line was read I dug a shallow hole, threw in the paper and watched the water soak the paper until it was flimsy and torn – so the words were illegible – watched as the tide rolled out and the sun set over the gulf. I grabbed one little piece of paper that was still at the bottom of the hole, filled it back up with sand and walked away from everything I had to move on from… I got in the car feeling lighter and cleansed of burdens that had been holding me down for far too long – and for the first time looking down at the piece that I had salvaged from the hole. One word remained unscathed after all that — “love”. Unfortunately the only place on the paper that love was written was in the part about my ex… but I chose to take the word for itself and not in the context of which I had written it. Love had survived the ebb and flow of the gently lapping water … I try to remember that when times get hard – as long as you walk away with love you’ve got enough to carry on…

isn’t it healthy to be at wits end and knowing exactly how to balance and bring yourself back? Good on ya for finding your way to balance. If only we all had the sea at our fingertips. THose pink sunset pics rock dude! Good thing you were ready to snap because it brought about a perfect reason to get some of your best little portraits yet!

WEIRD..I have been frustrated and edgy all day long! I just wanted to stomp away from it all and slam my bedroom door!! Nothing went right! I actually gave Gracee the day off from homeschooling because I was frustrating her with my shortness! I don’t get that way often but when I do get that way it kind of freaks her out and then I feel bad. So your words “making it through the empty spots and finding ways to replenish the good” are just so profound because even after our “out of sorts” day my girl still went and got “Lamb-a-roo” and we got back into the rhythm of our nightly winding down ritual of reading our book. She is now sleeping and I am calm and replenished…k..I must confess, I did have a tiny glass of wine just to encourage my “calm” a tad!

Loved this post oodles and oodles…between your post and Heidi’s post this week, I am feeling very validated and we all need that every now and again. Congrats on the award..you deserve it. ♥

we’ve had a week like this too. rough and tough. a trip to the beach is in order this weekend. can’t tell you how gorgeous the shots are of your girls this post. every pic is carefully crafted. hang in there. we’re all trying to climb back up the rope this week. 🙂

I had a really tough day too. My 2 year old whined at every opportunity, our sewer line backed up pouring sewage in to our basement, etc etc. Good to remember God makes each day fresh. I have never commented but lurk often but I had to take the time to tell you that the picture of Nella (from the back) where she is steadying herself with her toes pointed absolutely took my breath away!!!

I had a day similar to yours, list of to-do’s piled up high, overwhelmed and mental overload from trying to get it all done. All the forces of God’s green earth were working against me so I quit about halfway through the day and let it go. Cleared my mind and enjoyed my girls. I think I feel just as good tonight as I would if I had all those things done, maybe even better. Love your blog, your girls are precious. Hollah’d for you tonight on The Bump.

Love the picture of the random guy reading a book. Wonder what he was reading? Sometimes when I see people driving down the road, I wonder where they are going? All of these lives racing around us. Crazy. We are hoping to go to the Imagine the Possibilities Conference in Philadelphia, PA in February. Most of the speakers are people with DS, and they are promoting inclusion in schools and awareness. Karen Gaffney is one of the speakers. If you haven’t heard of her, check her out. She swam the English Channel. I think it would be good for us to see/hear some of the amazing things they have done. I hope I can be one of these parents who helps my daughter reach for the stars and accomplish anything she wants. Thanks for sharing your down days too. Nice to know that everyone has them, but tomorrow is always a new day, full of promise.

Oh man I had one of those days yesterday! The whining, the list of to do, short on patience and I went to bed with a “I blew it today feeling.” But we ran hard today, spending the day at a ranch, riding horses in a fresh dusting of snow, and my two sweet kids had a great day! I love how as a parent we can wipe the slate clean, jump in feet first, and turn feelings and days around. Sweet dreams!

I’m reading “No Greater Love” by Mother Teresa, on the back of the book is one of her quotes that fits many of my days:“What we need is to love without getting tired. How does a lamp burn? Through the continuous input of small drops of oil. What are these drops of oil in our lamps? They are the small things of daily life: faithfulness, small words of kindness, a thought for others, our way of being silent, of looking, of speaking, and of acting. Do not look for Jesus away from yourselves. He is not out there; He is in you. Keep your lamp burning, and you will recognize Him” Beautiful, no?

TO FEAS613 Beth – Oh, Beth – I just was so touched by what you wrote! Truly. Congrats to the latest winner of the giveaway! KELLE, I love reading about your needing replenishment, as we all deal with that. ANd trust me, you are enough, and do enough (and more!). Rest and replenish. RIK – oh, poppa, you just always so reach in and tug at my heart! Love you..** KELLE – i know many asked, and i didnt see if you responded, but IF you can, on your last post- you showed the cutest pajamas. Can you tell us where to get them?? Thanks and love to you and yours. – Your blog mama

Oh I hear ya on this one. The pace of the days seem to spiral out of control before I can even get out of my jammies. I huff and puff at the simplest task and my body aches from rushes of adrenaline. So after a morning of this I find a $50 parking ticket on my car for being on the wrong side of the street. Where is my brain? I’ve lived in this hood for 13 years. Then later I run over the median in the road because I’m not paying attention, no damage done though. All that being said I feel blessed for the run in with a sweet little 7 year old girl at our lunch destination. She was disabled from some sort of accident, so her 12 year old sister told us, and couldn’t speak much or walk. My son didn’t notice what she was lacking he only noticed that she smiled and said “hi” and he asked if she wanted to be friends. She couldn’t answer him to his knowledge and asked me why she didn’t. She did I said because she smiled at you. Her sister confirmed this by telling him that she gave him “sugars” (a smacking with her lips) and that meant that she liked him. Just like that they were all friends and my son and the older sister shared stories about having little sisters. Touching to say the least. Just that simply I’m reminded of the fragility of life and all it’s beauty. Then I get your wonderful post tonight and the huffs and puffs are replaced with sighs of care and tenderness for a family I’ve never met (yours), a family that I probably only saw today and today only, and all the other families out there dealing with their stories. I think I will have to take my littles to the beach tomorrow for sunset. Ahhh…sigh and smile. Thank you Kelle.

We all have those days kelle. Either you wake up feeling like it’s just going to get worse, or something happens to start a snow ball, but…I bet even Superman woke up on some days and was like “crap, not even my awesome ability to fly will make this day any better”. But that’s okay too. Because after we have this not-so-good day, or we snap a little too harshly at our loved ones, we come back the next day, replenished and ready to forgive and forget easily.

You have taught me that with good must come the bad, or at least the stuff we don’t always want to do/don’t like. But I’m also starting to see that those are great things about life too, in there own frustrating ways.

You made it through Hump Day, girl. You got this.

Also, your girls will wake up tomorrow with smiles on their faces and they won’t remember that you were quick to snap. They love you no matter what. (:

Holla!!! Congratulations, girl, and I so voted for you again for overall!! Rock the vote, baby!! I won today too! In the housing market that is. New house, baby, here I come! I think I have now exceeded my daily limit for exclamation points!!! Okay, maybe the week or even the month!!! It’s an exciting day!

what a perfect antidote to ‘one of those days’ needed to do the same today and wish I did. Instead going to bed tired grumpy and not having won any mother of the year awards today. Big sleep and a new day thankfully. Thanks for some perspective and encouragement. And beautiful photos of your gorgeous girls bathed in sunset so lovely x

Your photos are so beautiful…how can you stand not having every single one plastered to your walls like wallpaper? There are too many…just too many wonderful moments captured and if it were me, I would have a very hard time not printing them all up and displaying them somewhere in my home 🙂 My favorite in this series is the one with Nella on the blanket, with the toy in her mouth, looking off to the side. I don’t know what it is about that one, but I just love it 🙂

How lucky your girls are that you live so close to the beach. I live about 15 minutes away (driving in a car) and really, I should just drop everything and go…just like you do…when things gets tense around here.

VOTED! I hope you win! And I just want to thank you for blogging because your posts got me thru some rough times and with your encouraging words I was able to wipe off my tears and love my first born with DS to death!

He is almost 6 months and I can’t wait for him to sit and get his little chompers too! 🙂

Gosh, I feel like I have told you that often, but dangit whenever I read a new post I get little flash backs and realize how much I needed those blog words and still do, they rock! so thanks again and again and probably a few more times in the future!

Oh Kelle,somehow your posts always seem to synch in with how I’m feeling, or the kind of day I’m having with my two little ones. As always, I find your thoughts inspiring and just what I need as a gentle reminder that life is grand, and I am spoiled with love and a wonderful blessed life, despite the sleepless nights, the odd tantrum and of course that pile of washing that never manages to get itself folded!A big fan from Australia,Eira

Thought you might like this video! I first heard this song on your blog and now it’s one of my favorites…it’s this little guy’s favorite too.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnBau6fL8S8&feature=shareThere are many things I love about your blog and your song list is one of them! My husband and I often play it during dinner parties.

Your photography and words cut me deep and it makes me sit back and look at the small things. I loved the pic of the man reading the book. I am starting to look at the little “looks” Wyatt gives me or way he runs or studies things. Thank you for making me see these things.

Yay yay yay!!! Loved the post and I am expectant to have that same replenishing vibes in just two weeks when we put our toes in the sand and dip in the warm Gulf! After being away from Fl for a year, I am yearning to feel the soft warm air again. I can’t wait to view the beach from my children’s eyes… Ahhh bliss.

And my ever so favorite beach tip for cleaning up? Baby Powder! Just rub it on your kids (and you too!) and the sand just melts off and your skin is baby soft! Lifesaver. Seriously.

Can I just tell you how jealous I am that you are at the beach in NOVEMBER??!! I haven’t been to the beach for many, many years…over 10. Probably closer to 15. At least. (I’m 25.) My hubs has never been to the beach! I sit here in Ohio, it cold, foggy & rainy today…I used to hate winter, until I had kids. But now, my son gets so excited when it snows, that I seriously cannot wait until it snows. A friend of mine always says “It feels like we’re in a giant snowglobe.” And it does. May not be the beach, but it’s magical nonetheless.

2 of my favorite photos of your ever! the one of Nella watching the waves holding onto the string of her hat. And the one of Lainey with the blanket over her shoulders w/ the sweet bow in her hair. How ever do you pick what to frame in your house?!! 🙂

Does anyone else want to trade a moment in time with that guy reading the book?? I’ve been (loudly) hinting at the fact that I’d love a Tina Steinberg piece (or two) for xmas and birthday…hopefully when I forward your latest post to the husband, he’ll be inspired. Lindsey gives a big hollah to Nella and hopes she’s looking forward to Turkey day!

Hi Kelle!! A friend introduced me to your blog about two weeks ago and I have to say I am in LOVE!! Each morning after getting my girls breakfast I make up a cup of coffee and hungrily and greedily go to your blog to read your posts. Each day your words make me want to be a better mom to my two girls (about the same age as your two beauties). I could completely empathize with your post today, this week I have been feeling the need to be replenished, my nerves have been frayed and my patience has been low. THANK YOU for reminding me that there are days like this for all moms. You inspire me!!

This was an inspiring very honest post… I loved every single word and picture… surprisingly I went to bed last night with a replenished soul as well, coming from very different but very marvelous sources, we are in sync girl 🙂

I totally understand this statement “Sometimes it feels like I’m not enough, like I want to give so much but my reserves are low.” I am a mental health therapist for adults with developmental disabilities. Then I go home to my 20 month old son and my husband. I just have nothing left at the end of some days. Man do I wich I had the beach and the ocean nearby to replinish me. Thanks for sharing your beach with a midwesterner.

Hi…this is my first time leaving a comment on your blog. I read your article in Parents and admired your strength and honesty. Now I journey to your blog daily and feel like I am reading a wonderful book that never ends. Your words inspire me to be a better mother, woman, friend, and enjoyer of life! Other than your magical words and your beautiful babes, another thing I enjoy so very much from your blog is WHERE your quilt will show up!!! I’ve seen it used inside on the floor, outside on the grass, as a tablecloth (my personal favorite), and now on the beach! I love it! It’s become my own fun game of Where’s Waldo. Thank you for brightening my day every day!!

I know exactly what you mean about not feeling like enough sometimes. With three little ones myself and working full time I feel that way more often than I care to write here. But each night when I check on them before I snuggle into bed myself I say this prayer: God please heal the difference between the love they received today and the love they needed.

And every morning I am woken with hugs and kisses and “good morning Mommy” and I know my prayer was heard or that for once there was no difference between what they needed and what they were given.

I just wanted to let you know that the other day I was out shopping and saw a lady with her little who had Down’s. Normally I would avoid eye contact so not to make her think I even noticed that her babe was any way different then any other. This time, because of you and your blog, I looked her right in the eye and told her how sweet her baby was. She gave me the biggest smile and said a heart felt “Thank you”. Now I’m saying thank you to you, for setting me straight.

Kelle,I have only commented a couple times but I wanted to let you know how much your blog has meant to me. 1 week ago we found out our 3 year old son has autism. I know it’s not the same as DS but maybe that doesn’t matter. We both have hopes for our children and challenges ahead. If I hadn’t beeen reading your blog for the last 6 months I’m not sure I would’ve handled this news with as much grace. Following your lead I’m keeping my head held high and my heart full of hope. I’m determined to enjoy the small things. Like the kisses and hugs he gives me.

Your photos are beyond gorgeous and I love this set. They are so dreamy and I can smell the ocean and feel the warm breeze.

Goodness, it’s a comforting thing to read that we ALL have days like this. I actually breathed the words, “I’m a terrible mother…” to my husband this morning when my sweet two-year old said “hit you” as I tried to calm him back to sleep. Wow. I was ruined for the rest of the day. He cried and screamed and generally threw the worst tantrum ever, but ended it by saying, “mommy I need you,” and “mommy, I dreamed about you last night.” But despite these things that under normal circumstances would make me cry tears of joy, I sat stone faced and unsmiling. I just couldn’t do it. Not even for a sweet child. And that’s when I uttered those words to my husband. And even though I secretly know we all have moments of utter emptiness and guilt-ridden adult tantrums, I still feel rotten. So, long story short, thanks for a reminder that we’re all there sometimes. It’s certainly reassuring. The sun will come out again tomorrow – I’ll start over then. After a nice glass of red and an afgan on the couch. Cheers from Chicago…

Whenever I need a pick-me-up (which I do today and it’s only 11am) I come here to read your inspiring words and see the beauty that is life. It reminds me to be thankful for all the wonderful little things and to let go of the gray, ugly things. So thank you for that today, I needed a little color 🙂

Loved your post today … just what I needed to hear – it is normal to have days like that!Congrats on the blog award – well deserved!Just something I would like to share with you: My daughter was born with a deformed arm/hand and a dear cousin of mine brought it to my attention that she is not disabled but ‘differently abled” – what an awesome mind change that brought to the way I handle my daughter and others with different abilities!!

I love love love the picture of Lainey with the towel wrapped around her. It’s breath taking!

I want to share a poem by Danna Faulds

Let it go“Let go of the ways you thought life would unfold; the holding of plans or dreams or expectations — Let it go. Save your strength to swim with the tide. The choice to fight what is here before you now will only result in struggle, fear, and desperate attempts to flee from the very energy you long for. Let it all go and flow with the grace that washes through your days whether you receive it gently or with all your quills raised to defend against invaders. Take this on faith: the mind may never find the explanations that it seeks, but you will move forward nonetheless. Let it all go and find the place of rest and peace, and certain transformation.”

I love love love the picture of Lainey with the towel wrapped around her. It’s breath taking!

I want to share a poem by Danna Faulds

Let it go“Let go of the ways you thought life would unfold; the holding of plans or dreams or expectations — Let it go. Save your strength to swim with the tide. The choice to fight what is here before you now will only result in struggle, fear, and desperate attempts to flee from the very energy you long for. Let it all go and flow with the grace that washes through your days whether you receive it gently or with all your quills raised to defend against invaders. Take this on faith: the mind may never find the explanations that it seeks, but you will move forward nonetheless. Let it all go and find the place of rest and peace, and certain transformation.”

I have been feeling the same way all week. This post spoke directly to me, and I needed that! I think I am going to make a long list of things that I am thankful for to replenish. Man, I love lists. Feeling better already!!!

Congrats on the bump award Kelle. I just voted for you for best overall 🙂

I can see the emotion in your photos in this post. Absolutely beautiful! I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I am having a tough day full of the mundane and frustrating tasks that are so necessary but tough, I look at my littles and am reminded of how blessed I am. I’m reminded of the beautiful and amazing future that lies ahead of us, and I am so thankful.

Yesterday was a one of those days for me, and seeing these photos reminds me of how beautiful life is, and that I need to open my eyes to take in all of that beauty.

Beautiful post Kelle. Thanks for sharing your heart and giving us all a much needed reminder to take it all in.

This post makes me want to move to Florida! I’d kill to go to the beach to de-stress right now. It’s so darn cold here though that you don’t even want to be outside, let alone by the water. Lovely photos (as usual!)

We don’t live near a beach. But we do live near a beautiful park nestled at the edge of our city…We have lived here for 3 years and just discovered this treasure! It breaks my heart a little when I think about it. In the park there is this expansive field (almost half a mile long) edged with woods on one side and marshes and creek on the other. The grass is the perfect kind for flopping down and watching clouds. And on hot days there are two clumps of oak trees that you can sit under. It is my refreshing place. We just got home from there a bit ago. After a long teething night we needed OUT. We walked the paths, played in pine needles. Collected leaves and watched clouds.

It’s amazing what those places do to refresh you! Thank you again for your blog. I actually thought of you when the girls melted down 3/4’s of a mile from the car…It’s all part of the experience, no?

Kelle, i was just thinking the same thing. I do so much and somethimes get worn out. In those times I just leave it all there on the floor and go outside to enjoy nature. In our case it is the mountains of our little college town. Something as simple as doing homework in a park makes me feel so much better. I was about to get some chores done and thought…let me see what Kelle is up to…your little blog helps replenish me : ).

How do you always know just what to say when I so need to hear it. Thank you for being so honest. I constantly feel like I’m pulled in so many directions, I’m not giving anyone enough. And when my patients runs short, I feel like a total failure. Sometimes I think “Kelle Hampton would not snap at her kids like this”. So, thank you for reminding me that I AM normal and am truly doing the best I can. Oh, and I’m a pretty good momma anyway. 🙂

Congrats on your award! Just voted for the best overall blog award too!

Love your girls, North by Phoenix and this: “…I am breathing in the universe, releasing…” Breathing is such a powerful tool. It connects us with the essence of our being. Difficult emotions dissipate with conscious breathing (spine straight, eyes and mouth closed, inhaling and exhaling through nose) because concentrating on the breath enables us to refocus our attention inward. Deep belly breaths help us ground ourselves and regain our usual calm. And, if we add a smile, it will help us relax the three hundred + muscles in our face. 🙂

“…Seeing, hearing, feeling, are miracles, and each part and tag of me is a miracle…Divine am I inside and out…” ~Walt Whitman

YES!!! Thank you for this post Kelle. I just had a baby on Nov 5th and I am struggling to balance the newness of it all with a uncooperative, 2 1/2 year old at home as well. Yesterday, I lost my patience more than once, had a good cry and pulled it together just in time to enjoy the evening with both my my girls and my husband. I hate bad days so it is good to hear that you have them also! Here’s to more good days. Thanks for being real!

I needed this so today. Mu hubby and I are leaving tomorrow for our first weekend away from our kids…EVER. In 6 years!. My patience is at an all time low and I just want to get out of here. Thanks for reminding me how great “the small things” are. LOve this blog!dizzyhappymama.blogspot.com

Gosh, I wish I could have you and Nella and Lainey and your boys and hubby to Ottawa for Thanksgiving Dinner! Our kids would have so much fun and I would just love talking to you over a glass of wine while our littles play. Thanks for your post…it reminds me that other mamas struggle too!

Though I know it somewhere in my heart already it is soooo so good to be reminded that I’m not the only mother who sometimes feels like she isn’t enough. Thank you for the encouragement, I feel a little less alone. 🙂

We’ll never meet, you and I. I will see you only through these pages, through your photos and the bright love which shines through photos and words.

But you’ve somehow replenished ME, in the last while. I had been very fond of a wonderful website on which one harsh young woman began to dominate the voices of all the other very good women writers. She wrote with fists and hammers and mean-girl words which demeaned fellow writers and readers alike, blasting out at readers and answering their comments with such sharp, angry rebuttals that they gave up and went away. And so withered away the entire website.

Only in her appearance and her intelligence did she slightly remind me of you, simply in that you’re both extremely sharp, intelligent young women, and vaguely alike in appearance—nice figure and wonderful hair and lovely clothes—but her manner did, indeed, make you feel as if the schoolyard bully HAD stolen your candy at recess.

And now—your sweet words and kindness and bright outlook and gracious manner have absolved and erased and covered over those unpleasant things–with your absolutely fierce love and caringness, your portrayal of every day and the everyday in some weird combination of plain talk and magic which are fascinating and soothing all at once.

Being smart and writing well are of them selves a talent, but using them wisely and well in making your audience of readers live it with you, and WANT TO—that’s another thing entirely, and where you most excel.

Please know that I appreciate you so much, and join your hordes of admirers in dropping by every day to see what’s going on with you and your family. I’m so glad you chose to share your days, for they are joyful and wonderful, and we all need more joy and wonder.

My 2nd grader & I read your Blog for homeschooling! We loved the sunset (we dream of living on the beach)So after Today’s Blog she said “Daddy has to get a job at The Beach!” Looking at your sunset made us warm ..cause it’s 50 here!

This line:“Sometimes it feels like I’m not enough, like I want to give so much but my reserves are low.”is exactly how I feel today. Not enough. Beaten up by the world and by fighting for the best for my boys.

As frustrating as it can get sometimes, consider this… you guys are at the BEACH in November!! I am so jealous! And second, I am really excited that I saw this because I just wrote a post on my blog about a bucket list for the “lay mom”… I’m totally adding reading a book on the beach during sunset to the list! Thanks 🙂

Hi Kelle, this is my first time commenting, although I’ve been following the blog since shortly after Nella was born. I just want to thank you so much for your blog. It is such a wonderful ‘pick me up’ and you are a great role model for parents….scratch that….for EVERYONE! P.S. I love the music you post!

‘like salt on a pretzel’that alone is just awesome….except now would be so good to have a hot pretzel straight from a somewhat shady carnival 😉Wonderful post as i had the same day, sans the beach. With temps just above the freezing mark…sand and surf are out.

See, this is why you live in Florida for the winter- so that while here in Washington we’re experiencing a half inch of snow, you can fly to the beach with your worries and not get the tip of your nose frozen off. ^_^

Oh, to live only 4 stop lights from the beach. That could be a book title. I used to live in Manhattan Beach, CA and I get the pull to the ocean to soak up that calming feeling. It is something about the vastness, smell and feel of the ocean at sunset. That and looking at Malibu in the distance:) Loved Nella’s “toofers”. susan

Oh what wonderful shots you were able to take. They have a calm, relaxing feel to them. So pretty!! I wish I lived close enough to a beach to use it as you did this evening…what a beautiful way to end a day!!

I read all your updates but haven’t commented in a while because I sometimes I problems with the comment form. We’ll see how this goes…

Anyhoo, I feel this is me all. the. time. The impatience, the gripping of the steering wheel. *sigh* But yes, it all comes with the territory, and I wouldn’t trade my two littles for anything in the world.

I need a BIG cup of that sunset right now… Canadian Prairie livin’ is grand – big skies, slow pace, mmmm… but just got our first storm of the season & I know I, for one, would relish the feel of sand between the toes and warm water to wash away the stresses & pressure of life.

Found your site through “be yourself…everyone else is taken” and never so glad I did. I love your blog, your children are precious! And your photos, I could waste my day away, just gazing at them! I voted and the results show you in the lead! I wish you much luck!

I am absolutely in LOVE with the fingerprint pendants. Wow, what a fantastic idea! <3 MK

I voted and shared the link on Facebook. I hope you do win Kelle because you deserve it. ♥

We all share those moments of depletion. There are days of mommyhood when I think someone played a terrible joke on me and proclaimed me “mommy”. But I don’t wanna go back to the days when I would never had heard my son proclaim that I was “the goodest mommy evah!”

Oh I love that photo of that man on the beach reading his book in the surf. I know you crave the cold, blowing, gray days I have but know that I crave bare toes in sugary sand. I read book under a down comforter and quilt in flannel sheets and it still takes a bit to warm. You read books in the ocean. It just means we have to visit each other more.